A wood carving by Salish artist Ed Archie NoiseCat depicting a Native American woman standing in defense of the water will be given as a gift to the Standing Rock Sioux Nation. Tony Overmantoverman@theolympian.com

A wood carving by Salish artist Ed Archie NoiseCat depicting a Native American woman standing in defense of the water will be given as a gift to the Standing Rock Sioux Nation. Tony Overmantoverman@theolympian.com

Local tribes show solidarity with Standing Rock protesters through art

Local tribes showed solidarity with the Standing Sioux on Saturday, unveiling a sculpture by artist Ed Archie NoiseCat during the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s annual powwow.

NoiseCat’s sculpture depicts a warrior woman standing above a black coiled snake devouring the bones of Sioux ancestors. NoiseCat said Saturday that he hopes the piece will inspire other nations to join the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

“With all of the people struggling to hold on to what little we have left, I thought it would be best to do what I do,” NoiseCat said. “And I make art.”

The piece, titled “Mni Wiconi” which means “Water is Life,” stands about 11 feet tall and is made of Alaskan yellow cedar.

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